Week in review: Junior Seau’s brain to be studied

Follow the link to see our roundup of the top national and international news stories of the week.

Orion Gazette - Orion, IL

Writer

Posted May. 6, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated May 6, 2012 at 5:00 AM

Posted May 6, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated May 6, 2012 at 5:00 AM

News of the week

Here are the top news stories from the past week:

- Former NFL star Junior Seau was found dead in his home Wednesday of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot to the chest. The linebacker who starred most of his career for the San Diego Chargers and finished his career with the New England Patriots was 43. On Friday, it was announced that Seau’s brain will be studied.

- The full moon in the sky tonight is a “super moon,” the biggest-appearing full moon of the year. Scientists say it will appear 14 percent bigger than other full moons.

- "As a Chinese citizen, he may apply like other Chinese citizens according to the laws and normal procedures of the relevant departments." – Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin, talking Friday about blind activist Chen Guangcheng. Chen has applied to study in the U.S. after escaping from house arrest in China, and it appears he may be allowed to leave the country.

- "The question is where is the trend going forward. We think the labor market continues to remain healthy and we expect claims to edge lower." – Economist Brett Ryan, talking about the Thursday report that jobless claims fell dramatically last week, from 392,000 to 365,000.

- Four players who participated in the New Orleans Saints’ bounty program were suspended by the NFL on Wednesday. The players are Scott Fujita, Anthony Hargrove, Will Smith and Jonathan Vilma. The men are accused of trying to injure other players, and their suspensions vary. The Saints’ coach, Sean Payton, was suspended for the entire season for his role in the program.

- "I have regrets about not being smarter about how to run." – Newt Gingrich, talking to USA Today about his presidential campaign, which officially ended Wednesday. He also said he had no regrets about running for president.

- According to documents found in Osama bin Laden’s compound, the al-Qaida leader wanted to assassinate President Barack Obama. The information is being released on the first anniversary of his death, which happened May 2, 2011. The assassination information and other papers found at bin Laden’s hideout will be detailed on a Discovery Channel show tonight, “Inside bin Laden's Lair” (10 p.m. EDT).

- "The public was never in danger from explosive devices." - FBI statement after five men were arrested in Cleveland for trying to blow up a bridge. The men bought what they thought were explosives from an undercover FBI agent and planted the devices Monday, the FBI said Tuesday.

Page 2 of 2 - - "The whole reason the Nook business is expanding so rapidly is because bookstores are committed to it and know how to market the product in that environment." – Analyst Michael Norris, talking about the deal announced Monday that Microsoft is investing $300 million in Barnes & Noble’s Nook e-reader. As part of the deal, a Nook app for Windows 8 will be released.

- More than 500 dead pelicans washed ashore in Peru in the same spot that almost 800 dead dolphins washed ashore earlier in April. Environmental authorities are investigating the deaths but are not tying the pelican and dolphin incidents together yet.